Interactive video system

ABSTRACT

The present invention distributes digital video programs to a predetermined group of subscribers. The video programs are converted into a digital format in a central site (100) and then distributed to a remote site (110). Identification information for the digital video programs is broadcast to the group of subscribers. Each of the subscribers has the option of selecting one of the digital video programs for broadcast to the group. A continuous program which includes the digital video programs is broadcast to the group of subscribers or displayed on televisions (130-133). The order of the selected digital video programs within the continuous program is based at least in part on when the subscriber selections are received.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method of displayingsubscriber selected video information on a television. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a method of operating asystem wherein remotely selected video information is broadcast to alltelevision receivers in a predefined group. Subscribers can view theselected video information by tuning to a predetermined channel. Theselection occurs using a telephone or a remote control at the viewer'slocation. The information is retrieved from its storage location, andthen the video selection is broadcast to all the television receivers ofsubscribers within the predefined group.

One type of video system allows a subscriber to view selected videoinformation on cable television. These systems are often referred to aspay-per-view video systems. For example, a subscriber may be providedwith a switch or controller by which the subscriber can choose to viewfree television, listen to music, or view pay television. Other systemsallow for the insertion of advertisements into video programming. Thesesystems are identified as Digital Video Ad Inserters and they areprovided commercially by, for example, TEXSCAN and STARNET.

Other systems allow a subscriber or viewer to select and view videoinformation that will be broadcast to all subscribers or viewers on onecommon channel using only a conventional television receiver and atelephone having a touch tone keypad. These systems allow for remotediagnosis, operation, and control. Such remote capabilities enable, forexample, the receipt of a dedication forwarded from a central or hoststation to be displayed on a broadcast from a particular remote systemlocation. In addition, these systems can utilize an audio track from onesource and video information from another source, placing them both onthe outgoing line for display on each viewer's television receiver.

Thus, a subscriber can select video information to be broadcast to allsubscribers/viewers on one common channel using only a conventionaltouch tone keypad or telephone including such a keypad. These systemsare set forth in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,089,885, 5,019,900 and4,761,684. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,089,885, 5,019,900 and 4,761,684,incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, respond to the needfor an effective and cost-efficient group-oriented interactive videosystem. These patents provide methods and apparatus for operating acable television system wherein a subscriber can select videoinformation to be displayed on a common channel of the televisions ofall subscribers. The systems described in these patents have met withsubstantial success and are pioneering in the field of group-oriented,interactive video systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention responds to the need for a more effective,cost-efficient, group-oriented, interactive video system. In oneembodiment, the invention distributes video programming from a centrallocation to remote sites and then broadcasts selected video programsfrom the remote sites to a predefined group of subscribers. This groupof subscribers can then view the digital video programs on theirtelevisions and/or computers. In the present patent application,subscriber refers to any consumer who receives the selected digitalvideo programming. The individual consumer can control which of aplurality of video programs is broadcast to the predefined group ofsubscribers.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for distributingvideo programs to a predetermined group of subscribers. The videoprograms are converted into a digital compressed format and thendistributed to a remote site. Identification information for the digitalvideo programs is broadcast to the group of subscribers. Each of thesesubscribers has the option of selecting one of the identified digitalvideo programs for broadcast. A continuous program which includes theselected digital video programs is broadcast to the group ofsubscribers. The order of the selected digital video programs within thecontinuous program is based at least in part on when the subscriberselections are received.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventionmay be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall operation of the system in oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical subscriber's television display in whichthe names of the available video selections along with videoidentification numbers are scrolled across the bottom of the televisionscreen;

FIG. 3 illustrates the overall system structure of a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates the overall system structure for a second embodimentwhich utilizes a satellite;

FIG. 5 provides a configuration for a central site in a firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 provides a configuration within a central site; and

FIG. 7 provides a configuration for a remote site.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides anarrangement for distributing selected digital video programs to apredefined group of subscribers. The group of subscribers are usuallydefined as a group of consumers which receive a common televisionchannel. For example, a group of subscribers in the city of Miami, Fla.may receive channel 2 which provides the selected video programs. Thesubscribers in this group can select video programs for display onchannel 2. In the preferred embodiment, the selecting of video programsis done with either a telephone or other remote control device.

If a telephone is used for selecting, then a touch-tone telephone keypadused in conjunction with, for example, a "1-800" or a "1-900" telephonenumber is utilized in the preferred arrangement. For example, one"1-900" number associated with one of the predefined subscriber groupsis displayed on a common channel to that group. When a subscriber inthat subscriber group dials that "1-900" number, the call isautomatically routed to a central location. The central location theninteracts with the calling subscriber such that the subscriber can usetheir touch-tone telephone keypad or otherwise select an available videofor broadcast to the subscriber group. When a video is selected forbroadcast, information indicating that selection is sent to the remotesite associated with the selecting subscriber. For example, a cableprovider located in Denver may provide selectable videos on channel 4.This channel 4 could be broadcast to any predefined group of subscribersin the Denver area (e.g., to a specific Denver suburb). Subscribers whoreceive this channel 4 also receive information on how to selectavailable videos. For example, a "1-800" number along with a videoidentification number may be provided within the broadcast program. Whena subscriber calls this "1-800", the subscriber is routed to a centraloffice in, for example, Miami. The calling subscriber can then select adesired video program by providing the office in Miami with theidentification number of that desired video. The selection informationis then transmitted to the Denver cable provider such that it can beused to provide the selected video program for broadcast on channel 4.

Therefore, the videos which are available for broadcast are listed onthe common television channel for each subscriber group. Each availablevideo has an associated identification number to facilitate theautomatic ordering of these videos, and this identification number isdisplayed, for example, in a scroll bar within the current videoprogram. Multiple "1-800" and/or "1-900" numbers can be used fordifferent selection types (e.g., for regular selecting, for theselection of multiple videos at one time, for promotional activities,for ordering video-related products, etc.). In the preferred embodiment,the scroll bar is used to provide the titles of available video programsalong with their identification numbers to subscribers. This scroll canprovide additional information such as (1) information related to thevideo which is being broadcast, (2) advertisements of any type, (3)trivial and factual information (preferably related to music), (4)news-type information, and (5) additional information related to thevideo programs available for selection.

In one embodiment, the automated voice response can utilize the voice ofthe artist on the identified video. For example, if a subscriber callsand selects a "Rolling Stones" video, the automated answering system canrespond with Mick Jaggar's voice, thanking the subscriber for theselection. Moreover, the automated voice response can be available tothe subscriber in multiple languages. In the preferred embodiment,different languages are available to the caller when the associatedgroup of subscribers is located in an area which uses multiplelanguages. For example, the system may provide different phone numbersfor different language services. Alternatively, the system's firstselection with a touch-tone phone may be a language selection, in whichcase the rest of the remote selection session takes place in theselected language. Under the latter circumstance, when a subscriberdials a phone number for access to the remote site, the subscriber isimmediately given the choice for proceeding in one of multiple availablelanguages.

When a telephone is used for ordering videos, that telephone can belocated within or away from the broadcast receiving site (i.e., anyremote pay-phone or the like can be used to order videos). When thetelephone used for ordering a video is located away from thesubscriber's home, the subscriber must provide a credit card number orsome other type of account number for payment. For example, a specialdebit card can be issued for this purpose. If a credit card number isused, the charge for the video program selection is put on thesubscriber's credit card.

In some embodiments, a prompt on the telephone automated voice maytransfer a subscriber to a merchandising section which allows thesubscriber to purchase, for example, video-related products. In thisarrangement, before or after a video has been selected, the automatedvoice response may ask the caller if they are interested in purchasingmerchandise. The type of merchandise may or may not be set forth in theinitial voice prompt. If the caller indicates, via their touch-tonetelephone, an interest in possibly purchasing merchandise, the caller istransferred to a different automated voice which presents the availablemerchandise, the associated prices, the method of payment, shippinginformation, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the caller may betransferred to an individual in the central location who can take themerchandise order.

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall operation of the system in oneembodiment. In step 20, a continuous video program is broadcast to agroup of subscribers from a remote site (e.g., cable televisionlocation), as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates a typical subscriber'stelevision display 50 in which the names of the available videoselections along with video identification numbers are scrolled acrossthe bottom of television screen 50. Scroll 52 may include a "1-800"number or "1-900" number. Alternatively, these telephone numbers may belocated within a different field 54 in television display 50. Inaddition, information related to the current video on television screen50 can be located in yet another field 56 within television screen 50.

In step 22 of FIG. 1, a subscriber calls a "1-900" number to requestthat a desired video program be played. In step 24, the telephone callis answered at the system's central location and the subscriber isprompted to input the selection number, such as "234". This subscriberselection is logged at the central location. This log includes variousinformation, such as the subscriber selection time, the selection numberfor the desired video program, the identification number for theselecting subscriber, etc. At step 26, a billing and accounting reviewtakes place to check the caller's credit history and to bill the caller.In step 28, the selection is transmitted to, for example, the cabletelevision service provider. In step 30, the requested video program isplaced in a queue. In step 32, the subscriber's selection number isdisplayed on scroll 52 within television screen 50, to provide quickfeedback to the selecting subscriber. In step 34, the selection moves tothe top of the queue and is played on the relevant cable televisionchannel.

A remote control can also be used by a subscriber to select an availablevideo for broadcast. In the preferred embodiment, this remote control isused in conjunction with a two-way cable box (or other set-top box)located in the subscriber's home, or in conjunction with abi-directional satellite system owned by the subscriber. Again thesubscriber enters information in response to prompts provided by theremote site for that subscriber's predefined group. These prompts areprovided on the subscriber's television. If a set-top box is used, asthe subscriber responds to prompts on the television, signals receivedin the two-way box from the subscriber's remote control are sent to thesubscriber's cable company via RF transmission.

If the cable company is the remote site, the selected video is directlyplaced in the queue for the selecting subscriber's group. The cablecompany also provides the information received from the subscriber tothe central location for tracking purposes. A standard two-way cable boxavailable from any cable company is capable of performing this function.If the cable company is not the remote site for the selectingsubscriber, the received video selection information is transmitted fromthe cable company to the remote site (i.e., when a satellite is used asa remote site). If a cable company is used as the remote site, the cablecompany can provide for the accounting/billing associated with thatrequest. Thus, the charge for the selection can be included in thesubscriber's cable bill. The prompts provided to the subscriber who isselecting a desired video are available from, in the preferredembodiment, software located in the two-way cable box.

The present invention can deny a request for a video program when theselecting subscriber has failed to pay for previous selections. When atelephone at the subscriber's home is used to request a video, thecaller's telephone number is provided to the central location. Thesystem at the central location maintains a list of telephone numbersassociated with subscribers who have previously not paid for videoselections. If the caller's telephone number matches one of these storedtelephone numbers, the selection is refused. Alternatively, eachsubscriber may have an associated subscriber number used when orderingvideos with a remote control, with a telephone located away from thesubscriber's home, etc. This subscriber number can be used in the sameway as the caller's telephone number for denying requests. Similarly, anaccount limit may be placed on each subscriber caller. This accountlimit may depend on the payment history of the caller. For example, acaller who has continually paid bills on time may have a $200 accountlimit, and a caller with no payment history may have a $100 accountlimit. When a caller reaches this account limit, the caller's request(s)are denied. Software located in, for example, the central locationmonitors the subscribers' payment histories and controls the denying ofvideo program orders.

One of the advantages of the present invention is its ability to tailorthe available video programming to the tastes of the subscribers in aparticular group. For example, if a specific group of subscriberscontinually selects alternative-type music, then more videos whichprovide alternative-type music can be made available as videos forselection in that group. Additionally, this invention allows for certaincommercials to be provided to subscriber groups located in areas whichrespond better to a certain type of commercial. Thus, commercials can betailored for a certain group, and then inserted into the continuousvideo program being broadcast to that group. In this situation, thecommercials can be updated through a satellite. Moreover, software canbe used to automatically determine which types of videos are preferredby a particular subscriber group. In this arrangement, an algorithm isused to collect information and to determine the frequency of selectionfor each type of available video. When subscribers in the groupcontinually select a certain type of video for display, software willautomatically provide more videos of that type for selection to thesubscriber group.

In the preferred embodiment, the overall system controls approximately1800 video programs. Approximately 150 to 300 videos are selected fordisplay at any point in time within the system. When a video is selectedfor display, that video is placed in a queue which includes all thevideos which were selected prior to that subscriber's selection. As eachvideo is selected for broadcast, it is placed in that subscriber's queuesuch that the order of videos within the queue is usually based on wheneach of the videos was selected. For example, if video no. 1 is selectedbefore video no. 2, then video no. 1 is usually played ahead of videono. 2 to the group associated with the selecting subscribers. Otherconsiderations can affect where a video is placed in the queue. Forexample, when a queue is built, the following may be taken intoconsideration: (1) diversity of the videos being broadcast, (2) the timelength of the selected video, (3) the money amount paid by thesubscriber for the selected video, (4) the demographics of thesubscriber group, (5) the number of subscribers who have selected thevideo, etc. Thus, the queue may be reordered when more than one personselects the same video. In this arrangement, a video which is already inthe queue and then is selected by another subscriber, is moved forwardin the queue such that it is played earlier than some of the videoswhich were selected before it. This arrangement satisfies moresubscribers more quickly when the queue is particularly long.

A remote site is referred to herein as an earth headend when a satelliteis not used to provide video directly to a subscriber group. When aremote site is a satellite which provides videos directly to asubscriber group, that remote site is referred to as a satelliteheadend. FIG. 3 illustrates the overall system structure of a firstembodiment. In this embodiment, the central site includes both office100 and central location 120. Additionally, earth headend 110 provides alocal television channel with selected video programs to an associatedsubscriber group.

In one embodiment, office 100 and central location 120 perform separateand independent functions. For example, office 100 may compile all ofthe necessary/desirable video programs for distribution to the remotesites 110, 112 and 114. The video programs then become selectable videoprograms. In contrast, central location 120 may have different andseparate functions. Central location 120 may receive selectioninformation from any one of the subscribers within the multiplesubscriber groups and provide that selection information to the earthheadend or satellite headend associated with the subscriber who made theselection. For example, central location 120 may receive a "1-900" callfrom a subscriber. If this occurs, central location 120 provides thenecessary prompts such that a video can be selected. Central location120 then provides the selection information to the appropriate earthheadend or satellite headend via, for example, a modem. In addition,central location 120 can track the demographics information describedabove. This demographics information can then be provided to office 100so that it can be used for determining which available video programs toprovide to each subscriber group. When central location 120 works inconjunction with office 100, all the information within central location120 is digitized and relayed to office 100 such that communicationbetween office 100 and central location 120 is complete.

Each earth headend 110, 112, and 114 provides selected programs to eachassociated group of televisions 130-133, 134-136, and 137-140 which arelocated in the subscribers' homes. In this example, televisions 130-133belong to subscribers in one of the predefined groups. Earth headendscan be added to and/or subtracted from the system just as televisionscan be added to and/or subtracted from each group of televisions beingsupplied with video programming from these earth headends 110, 112 and114. Thus, any combination of earth headends and televisions can be puttogether in the present invention. A group of subscribers can easily bedefined as the group which receives video programming from a specificearth headend 110, 112, or 114. This allows for significant flexibilityin the arrangement of subscriber groups. For example, one block on astreet can form a subscriber group. Moreover, a group of subscribers caninclude a group which speaks a language different from that of anothergroup such that videos can be broadcast in the language of eachsubscriber group. In one embodiment, each earth headend is placed at acable company location and is used to provide a single channel in thatcompany's service region.

In operation, earth headend 110 provides a channel with continuous videoprogramming to subscribers in the subscriber group with televisions130-133. This continuous video programming provides selected videoprograms along with a scroll. This scroll provides information relatedto selectable videos (e.g., video title, video identification number,and "1-900" number for selecting the video). The subscribers withtelevisions 130-133 can select these selectable videos by calling the"1-900" number in the scroll. The calling subscriber is then routed tocentral location 120 via telephone line 142. Central location 120provides the automatic voice responses set forth above. Central locationobtains the selection information and transmits it office 100. Office100 then sends the selection information to earth headend 110, and earthheadend 110 inserts the selected video into its queue. Alternatively,central location 120 can provide the selection information to bothoffice 100 and earth headend 110. Again, earth headend 110 inserts theselected video into its queue for the subscriber group with televisions130-133.

Computers 150, 152 and 154 are coupled to televisions 134-136 and can beused in conjunction with the internet to select videos or to viewselected videos. In one arrangement, viewers/subscribers can selectprograms for broadcast on their common television channel via theinternet as described above. The associated prompts for selecting videoprograms are provided through the internet. These prompts can be viewedon either the subscriber's computer monitor or television (when thetelevision is coupled to the computer monitor). In another arrangement,after the digital video is selected, the subscriber can view the digitalvideo on the subscribers' computer screen via the internet. The selectedvideo is also displayed to all the other subscribers in the selectingsubscriber's internet group. Office 330 monitors all activity oninternet via gateway 610, interactive-voice response (IVR) 600 andinternet connection 650 (see FIG. 6). In order to provide video programon the internet, the programs are compressed and sent over the internetvia a high-speed T1-type access through internet 650. In the preferredembodiment, thirty frames/second are provided to the subscriber'sinternet group such that a good quality display of the video program isprovided. High speed access is also available via a modem on a cableline with high band width.

FIG. 4 illustrates the overall system structure for a second embodimentwhich utilizes a satellite. In one embodiment of the present invention,all of the functions performed in the central site are combined into oneoffice 330. Office 330 in conjunction with uplink 340 provides videoprograms via satellite 300 to the subscriber group which has televisions310-316. Video is digitized and compressed within office 330 and thensent to uplink 340 via line 332. Uplink 340 then takes the informationprovided by office 330 and provides it to satellite 300. Therefore,uplink 340 is a satellite transport station. Before sending thecompressed video programs to satellite 300, uplink 340 converts thedigitized/compressed video programs into an analog format required bysatellite 300. Satellite 300 then sends the video programs to eithertelevisions 310-316 on a common channel (acting as a satellite headend)or earth headends 370 and 372.

If satellite 300 is acting as a satellite headend, the subscribers withtelevisions 310-316 all receive the same selected video programming on asingle common channel provided by satellite 300. For example, satellite300 may provide selected video programming along with available programidentification numbers to a group of fifty subscribers who receive thisinformation on channel 4 of their televisions. A satellite headendsystem has several advantages and disadvantages when compared to anearth headend system. First, a satellite headend can provide selectablevideo programming to subscribers which do not have access to a similarchannel available through cable or a similar arrangement. Second, asatellite headend can easily reach a much larger number of subscribers.Unfortunately, as the number of subscribers increases, the waitingperiod for a selected video increases. For example, a subscriber whobelongs to a large subscriber group may have to wait twelve hours beforetheir selected video is aired on the channel provided by satellite 300.In contrast, an earth headend usually provides selectable video to asmaller group of subscribers such that a selected video may be playedalmost instantly during unpopular television viewing times. Becauseselected videos are placed in a queue, the waiting period for viewing aselected video is longer when more videos are being selected.Furthermore, on the average, more videos are selected when a greaternumber of subscribers is included in a predefined subscriber group.

In operation, when satellite 300 acts as a satellite headend, itbroadcasts a channel with continuous video programming to subscribers inthe subscriber group with televisions 310-316. As in FIG. 1, thiscontinuous video programming provides selected video programs along withan information filled scroll. The subscribers with televisions 310-316can select videos by calling the "1-900" number in the scroll, and thecalling subscriber is then routed to office 330. In this arrangement,office 330 provides the automatic voice responses and obtains theselection information. Office 330 then sends the selection informationto satellite headend 300, and satellite headend 300 inserts the selectedvideo into its queue. Thus, when the selected video reaches the top ofthe queue, it is broadcast in the continuous program to the subscribergroup with televisions 310-316.

Satellite 300 can also be used to transmit video programs from office330 to earth headends 370 and 372. Earth headends 370 and 372 thenbroadcast continuous video programs to subscribers with televisions384-389 and subscribers with televisions 380-383, respectively. When asatellite is not utilized to distribute the video programming, a varietyof other techniques can be used. For example, tapes (including VCRtapes) and/or disks (including floppy disks and laser disks) whichinclude the video programs can be sent, in the preferred embodiment, viaovernight mail to earth headends 110, 112, 114, 370, and 372. Inaddition, the video programs can be sent via any available transmissionline means (e.g., telephone line, coax cable, fiber optic cable, and thelike). In the preferred embodiment, selectable video programs areupdated once a day to once a week. A satellite allows downlink oncommand such that desirable videos and commercials can be quicklyinserted into a queue at the remote site.

The present invention provides an elaborate scheme for trackinginformation related to the selection of video programs. In the preferredembodiment, each earth headend 110, 112, 114, 370 or 372 tracks whichvideos have been played for the subscriber groups associated with thatearth headend and also which videos have been selected by subscriberswithin each group. This compiled information is then provided to thecentral site. This tracking of information also assists when analgorithm is being used to provide programming oriented to the tastes ofthe subscribers in a specific group.

FIG. 5 provides a configuration for a central site in a firstembodiment. Office 330 provides video programming via line 332 and anuplink to satellite headends in the system and via line 334 to earthheadends in the system. Office 330 can connect to any remote site (i.e.,satellite headend or earth headend) on demand via lines 332 and 334. Inthe preferred embodiment, line 334 connects to a LAN which providesconnection to all earth headends in the system. Office 330 connects toremote sites under several different circumstances. For example,connection may be needed for performing maintenance checks 520 or forrequesting information 510. Thus, office 330 has remote control overeach remote site in the system. Line 334 can be a network connection(e.g., LAN), a dialup modem, or the like. Maintenance checks 520 anduser requests 510 are initiated by individuals who provide support tothe system. These individuals are usually located at office 330.

When a user request 510 is initiated, only requests can be made to thesatellite and earth headends in the system. Thus, no changes can be madeto the information or software within these satellite and earthheadends. In contrast, when a maintenance check 520 is initiated, a usercan monitor and control any satellite or earth headends in the systemremotely. Therefore, changes can be made to the information, software,scroll, etc. within these remote sites.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a software program is usedto send digital messages between maintenance check 520 (or user request510) and various remote sites in the system. When an individualinitiates a connection for a maintenance check 520 and/or for a userrequest 510, the user requests connection to a particular remote site.At this point, the program begins a login process with that particularremote site. If a modem link is used, the login process takesapproximately five to seven seconds. The software coordinates requestedconnections such that multiple users (e.g., eight users) can access oneremote site through one link. Therefore, if one user is connected to aremote site and a second user initiates a connection to that same remotesite, the software allows the second user to utilize the connectionalready established by the first user.

After obtaining a connection with one of the remote sites, the user can(1) input selections for more information related to that remote site,(2) input selections for maintenance purposes, (3) input a specialmessage to a subscriber who is on the telephone, (4) input a newcommercial for insertion into the video programming, (5) input a specialmessage for the scroll, or the like. As the user inputs a selection,these inputs are shown on a computer screen in the remote site. Afterall the users are done accessing a particular remote site, theconnection to that remote site is closed.

External request gateway 610 allows interactive-voice response (IVR) 600to provide video selection and related information to office 330.Telephone prompt 620 allows for "1-800" and "1-900" numbers to be routedthrough IVR 600 and gateway 610 to office 330. In onetelephone-prompting arrangement, a debit card with a PIN code is usedsuch that anyone can call in directly to the system and request videoswithout having to provide a credit card number. Thus, debit cards and adatabase with customer information related to debit cards and PIN codesis present. This arrangement is desirable because (1) some individualsdo not like to give their credit card number over the telephone, (2)some individuals do not like to receive "1-900" charges on theirtelephone bills, and (3) some subscribers do not have telephones ortwo-way cable boxes in their homes and this allows for the ordering ofvideos from pay phones. Selection information related to this method ofrequesting videos can be easily tracked by office 330.

Two-way set-top box information 630 can be provided through IVR 600 andgateway 610 to office 330. In this arrangement, a two-way set-top box isused in conjunction with a remote control in a subscriber's home. Theremote control and prompts on the subscriber's television are used toselect videos. The selection information is sent via RF signals to thecompany which provides the set-top box (e.g., a local cable company).This selection information is then provided to the remote siteassociated with the selecting subscriber's group and to office 330 viagateway 610. Office 330 uses this information for tracking videoselections, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the selection informationis sent by the set-top box provider to office 330, and in turn, office330 sends the selection information to the remote site associated withthe selecting subscriber's group.

Subscribers who respond to various promotions (these are usuallyincluded in a special scroll) can access the system via promotionalconnection 640 by calling a special "1-800" or "1-900" number. This isrequired so that a special routing of the order will be coordinated withthe special scroll. Thus, the order can be handled by either anautomated voice response created especially for the promotion or by aninformed individual located at office 330.

Internet connection 650 relays subscriber selections which are made overthe internet. In the preferred embodiment, an accounting service withinthe internet is provided (1) through an internet company (e.g., AmericaOn-Line, CompuServe, and the like), (2) through an e-mail address, or(3) through a World Wide Web page. This accounting service requests theselected video program identification number along with a credit cardnumber. The credit card number is used for the charge associated withthe selecting of the video program. Thus, computers within thesubscribers' homes can be used to order and display video programs.

FIG. 6 provides a configuration within a central site. Batch operation700, located within office 330, is a program which coordinates thesharing of one output line when multiple users request a connection tothe same remote site. As stated above, users can connect to a remotesite for user requests 510, maintenance checks 520, etc. Centraldatabase 720 contains all of the video programs in a structured databaseformat along with a program which controls the organization of andaccess to the stored video programs. Information associated with thevideo programs is also included in central database 720. Thisinformation is usually the selection/request number for each videoprogram, the title and artist when the video program is a music video,and other facts which describe the associated video program. Demographicpreference information and other identifying information may also beassociated with a video. In addition, central database 720 can be adynamic database which tracks the data sent by a satellite. In thisarrangement, central database 720 compares the data received at theremote site with the data sent to the satellite. Central database 720can then order a resend of information from satellite 300 when data sentto a remote site is incomplete or incorrect (i.e., the received datadoes not match the data sent to the satellite). In an alternativeembodiment, video programs can be stored in file storage 800. As shownin FIG. 6, file storage 800 is located outside of office 330.

Server 730 allows for connection between office 330 and a remote sitevia, for example, a network. When a fault condition occurs in a remotesite, the server within that remote site automatically calls server 730and requests maintenance for that fault condition. Software located inthe remote site provides for the sequencing need for this automaticmaintenance order. For example, a hard disk failure is reported toserver 730 immediately. Thus, a server within each remote site works inconjunction with server 730. The remote site server can also act as aphone switch which collects data and sends the collected data out in onebunch. The collection of data only occurs for low priority actions. Theremote site contains a batch program which can organize and collectrequests for this single transmission of collected data.

Command interface 740 allows office 330 (1) to send a particular videoprogram to a particular remote site, (2) to delete a particular videofrom a particular remote site or from all remote sites, (3) to send avideo program to all remote sites, etc. Command interface 740 usesserver 730 to send and receive data from the remote sites. Digitalconverter/compressor 750 converts all the video programs into a digitalformat and then compresses it before the video programs are distributedto the remote sites. Digital converter/compressor 750 can be broken upinto two separate units (i.e., one unit for converting and one unit forcompressing).

As stated above, the mix of video programs sent to a particular remotesite can be determined from an algorithm. This algorithm takes intoconsideration the types of video programs being selected by thesubscriber group associated with that particular remote site. In otherwords, the demographics of an area can have an impact on which videoprograms are sent to a particular subscriber group for selection. Thisalgorithm can be located in office 330. As information on videos for aparticular subscriber group is received, the determination of whichvideos will be sent to the associated remote site is based on theselections made by the subscribers in that group. Thus, particular typesof videos may be sent to a particular group of subscribers. In order tosend a particular video to a remote site, an address identifying theremote site is assigned to that video.

FIG. 7 provides a configuration for a remote site. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, remote site 900 includes a tape deck (e.g.,3/4-inch) along with a laser disk player 910. The tape deck/laser diskarrangement 910 is usually used as a backup to digital video. In thepreferred embodiment, digital video is distributed either (1) on adigital audio tape (DAT) which is sent via overnight mail to the remotesite, or (2) via a satellite transmission. When a DAT is used, the DATusually has 4 gigabytes of storage capacity, and is a regularcommercially-available DAT. In the preferred embodiment, the DAT withupdated video programs is sent to each remote site at least once a week.When a satellite transmission is used, the DAT can be used as a backup.

When a satellite transmission is used, the digital video programs aretransmitted to receiver 920 in an analog format. When processor 930determines that the received data address matches the address of remotesite 900, the received data are converted back into a digital form andstored in an Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) data compression formatwithin digital video playback unit (DVPU) 940. In the preferredembodiment, DVPU 940 has a hard disk with up to 64 gigabytes of capacityfor storing the digitized video. DVPU 940 also stores the video programsin digital format when the digital video programs are received from DAT.Before broadcasting the digital video programs to subscribers, DVPU 940decodes the compressed digital video programs such that they arebroadcast in the original digital form.

The processor located within DVPU 940 can be a 486 or Pentium processor.This processor verifies the correct transfer of information from thesatellite, and when an error occurs, automatically orders a dialback torequest a retransmit of data. The dialback is done through the modeminside DVPU 940. The dialback function is needed because of the one-waylink between remote site 900 and office 330 when satellite 300 is used.Thus, the modem within 940 provides the dialback to uplink 340 such thata re-transmit can be ordered. Each frame of the digital video is checkedand verified by DVPU 940, so that the exact frames which have problemscan be re-transmitted after being ordered by DVPU 940. DVPU 940 can becreated with standard equipment and custom software. The equipmentwithin DVPU 940 includes a decoder board, a standard personal computer,and a satellite modem. This equipment is provided commercially byScientific Atlanta. The custom software allows DVPU 940 (1) toefficiently store digital videos of variable length and (2) todefragment and organize the stored digital videos for later playing.

Processor 930 can be a 486 or Pentium processor which allows forhigh-quality scroll graphics along with a variety of scroll fonts, logosand colors. These graphics, etc. can be used in the scroll which isdisplayed on the subscribers' televisions. An overlay of a logo on thevideo programs is also possible. Processor 930 acts as a control unitwhich handles requests, builds queues with video programs andcommercials, accepts multiple external inputs (some of which aredescribed above), etc. The software used by processor 930 is dividedinto modules. Processor 930 uses the software to monitor modemconnections, overlays, internet interaction, and the like.

Sound overlay 950 allows for the playing of videos without sound (i.e.,when the sound for a video is deleted from that video) or when the audiofrom a promotion or the like is dubbed over the audio of the videoprogram which is being broadcast. Output 960 allows for outputtinginformation to, for example, a cable company which houses an earthheadend. Output 960 also provides information on a computer screen whichis coupled to remote site 900. Access to this computer screen is alsoavailable at each office and central location in system 10.

In the preferred embodiment, the computer screen at the remote site 900includes (1) a queue display with the identification number and lengthof time for each commercial, video program, etc. which is in the queue,(2) video switcher information which is used when the tape deck/laserdisk 910 is being used, (3) the status of all modem lines and otherlines which provide data to remote site 900, (4) the time left on theprogram which is presently being broadcast to the subscriber group, (5)the menu of available commands for remote site 900, (6) the equipmentstatus for remote site 900, (7) the scroll which is located in thebroadcast at that time, (8) the number of calls made each day for aspecific period of time, (9) a log history which provides the videoprograms that have been selected for broadcast and the videos that havebeen broadcast (broadcast videos include those selected by subscribersalong with those provided because no selections were made and the queuewas empty).

Interface 970 within remote site 900 facilitates the connection betweenremote site 900 and the central site. In the preferred embodiment,commercials are provided in stop sets of five minutes. Accordingly,video programs are placed in the queue such that five minutes arescheduled for commercials. Thus, stop sets are dynamically created atand then broadcast to each remote site 900 when desired. This allows forlocalized commercial insertions which take into account the demographicsassociated with a subscriber group. Commercials can also be easilyinserted when received via modem or some other type of transmission,including satellite.

In an alternative embodiment, a bi-directional satellite, located at theremote site, is used such that the verification done by DVPU 940 is notrequired, because verification is done by the bi-directional satellite.In addition, when a bi-directional satellite is located at thesubscriber's location, a subscriber can transmit a selection via thebi-directional satellite and a remote control. Therefore, videos can beselected with a remote control when a two-way set-top box is notpresent. Bi-directional satellite of the very small aperture terminal(VSAT) type are provided commercially by, for example, AT&T, Tridom,Hughes Network System, and GE Space Net.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, multiple continuousvideo programs may be provided to multiple subscriber groups from thesame remote site. For example, two groups of subscribers in the samephysical area may speak two different languages. Thus, two differentchannels which carry two different continuous video programs indifferent languages are desirable. When multiple subscriber groups areservices by the same remote site, one DVPU 940 can provide the neededdigital video programs and commercials to the multiple subscribergroups. Multiple boards within DVPU 940 are required in order to providegood video quality to up to eight subscriber groups simultaneously.

While a full and complete disclosure of the invention has been providedhereinabove, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and changes may be made.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for distributing video programs to agroup of subscribers comprising:creating digital video programs byconverting and compressing said video programs; determining a preferredprogram type based on a previous selection made by said group ofsubscribers, wherein at least one of said video programs is of saidpreferred program type; selecting at least one of said digital videoprograms based at least in part on said determined preferred programtype; distributing said selected digital video programs to a remotesite; broadcasting identification information for at least one of saidselected digital video programs to said group of subscribers; receivinga subscriber selection from a selecting subscriber, said selectingsubscriber being a member of said group of subscribers, said subscriberselection identifying a subscriber-selected digital video program; andbroadcasting a broadcast program to said group of subscribers, saidbroadcast program including said subscriber-selected digital videoprogram and at least one other program segment, wherein saidsubscriber-selected digital video program is broadcasted in an orderbased in part on a time when said subscriber selection is received, andwherein a content of said at least one other program segment is based inpart on at least one previous selection made by said group ofsubscribers.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected digitalvideo program is broadcasted in said order based on at least one otherparameter, wherein said at least one other parameter is based on atleast one of (1) types of previously-included subscriber-selecteddigital video programs, (2) length of time of each one of a plurality ofsubscriber-selected digital video programs currently in said continuousprogram, (3) a monetary amount paid for selecting saidsubscriber-selected digital video program, (4) number of subscribersselecting said subscriber-selected digital video program, and (5) atleast one demographic measure of said group of subscribers.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said determining said preferred program typecomprises analyzing an historical record of preferences of said group ofsubscribers.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said content is selectedby analyzing an historical record of preferences of said group ofsubscribers.
 5. A method for distributing video programs to a group ofsubscribers comprising:determining a preferred program type based on aprevious selection made by said group of subscribers, wherein at leastone of said video programs is of said preferred program type; convertingand compressing said video programs to generate digital video programs;distributing said digital video programs to a remote site; broadcastingidentification information for at least one of said digital videoprograms to said group of subscribers; receiving a subscriber selectionfrom a selecting subscriber, said selecting subscriber being a member ofsaid group of subscribers, said subscriber selection identifying aselected digital video program; and broadcasting a broadcast programthrough an Internet to said group of subscribers, said broadcast programincluding said selected digital video program and at least one otherprogram segment, wherein said selected digital video program isbroadcasted in an order based in part on a relative order of receivingsaid subscriber selection, and wherein a content of said at least oneother program segment is based in part on at least one previousselection made by said group of subscribers.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein said selected digital video program is broadcasted in said orderbased on at least one other parameter, wherein said at least one otherparameter is based on at least one of (1) types of previously-includedselected digital video programs, (2) length of time of each one of aplurality of selected digital video programs currently in saidcontinuous program, (3) a monetary amount paid for selecting saidselected digital video program, (4) number of subscribers selecting saidselected digital video program, and (5) at least one demographic measureof said group of subscribers.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein saidcontent is selected by analyzing an historical record of preferences ofsaid group of subscribers.
 8. A method for distributing video programsto a group of subscribers comprising:determining a preferred programtype based on a previous selection made by said group of subscribers,wherein at least one of said video programs is of said preferred programtype; converting and compressing said video programs to generate digitalvideo programs; distributing said digital video programs to a remotesite; broadcasting identification information for at least one of saiddigital video programs to said group of subscribers; receiving asubscriber selection through an Internet from a selecting subscriber,said selecting subscriber being a member of said group of subscribers,said subscriber selection identifying a selected digital video program;and broadcasting a broadcast program to said group of subscribers, saidbroadcast program including said selected digital video program and atleast one other program segment, wherein said selected digital videoprogram is broadcasted in an order based in part on a relative order ofreceiving said subscriber selection, and wherein a content of said atleast one other program segment is based in part on at least oneprevious selection made by said group of subscribers.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein said selected digital video program is broadcasted insaid order based on at least one other parameter wherein said at leastone other parameter is based on at least one of (1) types ofpreviously-included selected digital video programs, (2) length of timeof each one of a plurality of selected digital video programs currentlyin said continuous program, (3) a monetary amount paid for selectingsaid selected digital video program, (4) number of subscribers selectingsaid selected digital video program, and (5) at least one demographicmeasure of said group of subscribers.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinsaid content is selected by analyzing an historical record ofpreferences of said group of subscribers.
 11. A method for distributingvideo programs to a group of subscribers comprising:converting andcompressing said video programs to generate digital video programs;distributing said digital video programs to a remote site; broadcastingidentification information through the Internet for at least one of saiddigital video programs to said group of subscribers; receiving asubscriber selection from a selecting subscriber, said selectingsubscriber being a member of said group of subscribers, said subscriberselection identifying a selected digital video program; and broadcastinga broadcast program to said group of subscribers, said broadcast programincluding said selected digital video program and at least one otherprogram segment, wherein said selected digital video program isbroadcasted in an order based in part on a relative order of receivingsaid subscriber selection, and wherein a content of said at least oneother program segment based in part on at least one previous selectionmade by said group of subscribers.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinsaid selected digital video program is broadcasted in said order basedon at least one other parameter, wherein said at least one otherparameter is based on at least one of (1) types of previously-includedselected digital video programs, (2) length of time of each one of aplurality of selected digital video programs currently in saidcontinuous program, (3) a monetary amount paid for selecting saidselected digital video program, (4) number of subscribers selecting saidselected digital video program, and (5) at least one demographic measureof said group of subscribers.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein saidcontent is selected by analyzing an historical record of preferences ofsaid group of subscribers.